goofiefoot
Well-Known Member
All it took was 6 months.
So, me and my brewing partners brewed a partial-mash Bourbon Vanilla Porter and bottled it in mid-February. 3 weeks later we began to pop the bottles, and were disappointed, to say the least. Some smelled bad (I didn't experience this, but the other guys did), most were under-carbonated, and overall taste was a little funky. I never disliked it so much that I didn't finish a bottle, but it just wasn't that great.
My buddies, much to my chagrin, poured out the remainder of their share, but (being a regular reader here) I held on to my remaining supply, hoping for a miracle. Every month or so, I have opened another, and have remained disappointed.
Until last night...
I put a flip-top liter bottle in the fridge 3 days before. I opened it up to a nice "pffffffft". I poured carefully and was enamored with a nice, ivory head buildup. Then I took a sip.
Holy crap! Magically, vanilla notes came through the aroma; along with a slightly sweet, slightly malty flavor with distinct, but not overbearing, bourbon flavor. Nice, clean finish. This is the beer we were hoping for.
Unfortunately, I only have 2 more.
So, me and my brewing partners brewed a partial-mash Bourbon Vanilla Porter and bottled it in mid-February. 3 weeks later we began to pop the bottles, and were disappointed, to say the least. Some smelled bad (I didn't experience this, but the other guys did), most were under-carbonated, and overall taste was a little funky. I never disliked it so much that I didn't finish a bottle, but it just wasn't that great.
My buddies, much to my chagrin, poured out the remainder of their share, but (being a regular reader here) I held on to my remaining supply, hoping for a miracle. Every month or so, I have opened another, and have remained disappointed.
Until last night...
I put a flip-top liter bottle in the fridge 3 days before. I opened it up to a nice "pffffffft". I poured carefully and was enamored with a nice, ivory head buildup. Then I took a sip.
Holy crap! Magically, vanilla notes came through the aroma; along with a slightly sweet, slightly malty flavor with distinct, but not overbearing, bourbon flavor. Nice, clean finish. This is the beer we were hoping for.
Unfortunately, I only have 2 more.